From The Sixth

Resaca, Georgia, May 17th, 1864.

Mr. Caverly:–

I just now find the first minute to devote to the “Sentinel.”

We have just fought one of the hardest fought battles of this war, and are again victorious. Ere this reaches you, you will have been advised of the particulars of the fight, but as many of our friends and relatives in Clark, will be anxious about us, I will give you a list of the casualties in Cos. F and B.

I regret to state that David Shearer, of Co. F, is no more. He fell on the 14th, while nobly defending his country’s flag. He was a good soldier, a kind companion, and we all feel that we have lost a dear friend, and our country one of her brave defenders. – Samuel Hart – Recruit, Co. F – severely wounded in hip. Coleman Barber, Co. F, leg amputated. William Hamilton, Co. B, in thigh slightly. Samuel Musselman, Co. B., abdomen slightly. William D. Tull, Co. B, mortally wounded. All the wounded are doing well. The loss in the sixth was five killed and wounded. We have taken some three thousand prisoners. Nearly all of the Rebel dead were left in our possession – we have already buried over eleven hundred of them. Their loss in killed far exceeded ours. They moved most of their wounded. Our army has driven Johnson 35 miles south of Dalton and are still in pursuit. Prisoners are still coming in.

The health of the Reg. is good – I neglected to mention John Campbell, Co. B, who is slightly wounded in the head.

My time is very limited, and my facilities for writing very poor. When we get settled I will write you again. Truly yours,

Ed. F. Alden
6th Iowa Infantry

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, June 4, 1864